| NEWARK
– The Terminix International Company,
L.P. (“Terminix”) has agreed
to pay New Jersey $81,900, reform its business
practices and resolve consumer complaints
under a settlement stemming from a Division
of Consumer Affairs investigation, Attorney
General Zulima V. Farber and Consumer Affairs
Director Kimberly Ricketts announced.
Terminix
agreed, among other things, to change the
wording in its contracts about the company’s
obligation to repair damage from termites
after service has been performed.
“Consumers
deserve clear and concise disclosure of
all terms and conditions before signing
a contract,” Attorney General Farber
said. “This settlement provides for
resolution of pending complaints, and requires
reforms from the company to protect future
customers.”
Consumer
Affairs has identified 31 consumers who
filed complaints against terminix. Under
the settlement, the company must work with
each complainant to resolve the pending
complaints, with each complainant having
the option to submit the matter to binding
arbitration if the company’s offer
is not accepted. terminix also agreed to
report to the state on how it resolves future
consumer complaints received by Consumer
Affairs and referred to the company during
the next 12 months.
“We’ve
worked the bugs out of terminix’s
business practices so consumers get the
termite control services they expect,”
said Consumer Affairs Director Ricketts.
As
part of the settlement, terminix also agreed
to:
- Honor
all consumer requests for cancellation
of a contract no later than 72 hours
after receiving a cancellation request;
- Provide
a refund no later than 30 days after
telling a consumer that a refund is
owed;
- Honor
the terms of any warranty; and
- Respond
to a consumer’s telephone call,
email or letter no later than 72 hours
after receipt.
Deputy
Attorney General Nicholas Armstrong represented
the state in this matter.
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